Rue21 closing local stores

The chain’s stores at Port Charlotte Town Center and Ellenton Premium Outlets also are on the chopping block.

The privately held, Pennsylvania-based company will have about 700 stores in 48 states when the closings are complete.

In a Facebook post, Rue21 called the decision to close the stores “difficult but necessary.” It’s unclear when the stores will close, but the chain already is advertising the clearance sales on its website.

Like many brick-and-mortar retailers, Rue21 has been battling declining mall traffic amid strong competition online. A number of national chains such as Macy’s, JCPenney, Staples, Payless ShoeSource, Staples, and Abercrombie and Fitch also have announced plans to cut back on their brick-and-mortar lineup this year. Meanwhile, players such as The Limited and Wet Seal have closed all of their stores nationwide.

The Rue21 opening in April 2015 at Westfield Sarasota Square marked the beginning of a new era for the family-focused shopping center on the south end of town. Since then, the mall has welcomed a number of similar, fast-fashion retailers such as A’GACI, H&M, F21 Red and Old Navy.

But the mall has also said farewell to a number of tenants in recent month as turbulence in the retail industry has increased.

Macy’s closed late last month, which robbed the mall of an anchor tenant. Dahlia’s, a locally owned boutique, was the latest in a string of retailers to pack its bags. Cotton On, Men’s Warehouse, Bijou Brigitte, New York Jewelers, and Marks and Morgan Jewelers also have closed there in recent months.